title: [The epithelial bell].
abstract: The epithelial bell which surrounds the clitoris in most mammals arises by fusion of visceral and parietal layers of the prepuce. Adhesion of the epithelia occurs between the squamous cells and a normal connection is formed by desmosomes and other junctions. There is total absence of cornifications. The squamous epithelial double lamina splits occasionally in some patches where the free surfaces are getting back to a normal process of keratinization as in the wall of the vestibule. In the closed pits the keratin scales form squamous granules without sebaceous secretion. Sometimes a similar process occurs in the human prepuce with the same results as described in cat and rabbit. The granules of keratin are different from the smegmaliths as they do not contain sebaceous secretion.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Anatomia Comparata Università di Cagliari.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stefani
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Loffredo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spiga
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002987:Clitoris; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011817:Rabbits / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014621:Vagina / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
vernacular_title: La campana epiteliale.